Audio Recording Technology

Recording Rooms including Control, Studio, Isolation and Classroom

Join us for our OPEN HOUSE on Wednesday, July 22 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm!

Tour our facilities, check out the equipment, get questions answered, meet people, and have some refreshments!

WHERE - CSN North Las Vegas Campus, H Building, Room H127, 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, N. Las Vegas 89030. DIRECTIONS - Go North on Campus Drive from Cheyenne Avenue past the Morse Arberry Jr. “A” Building on the right, and park just North of the Horn Theater (3rd right into parking lot past the “A” Building); there will be signs to help direct you. SEE YOU THERE!

For more details and updated information visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CSNAudioRecording

Enrollment for the Fall 2026 Semester is going on now!
The first day of the Fall Semester is Monday, August 24, 2026.

PLEASE NOTE!
With two exceptions, our technically-related Audio Recording Class Sections listed below are scheduled to be held as "In Person" for our Fall 2026 Semester. (MUS 181 and MUS 281 will be 100% online in one of two possible orientations: With regularly scheduled Class Times, or without them).

Note: We have one class section of MUS 239 that will be held online (Web-Remote). This is class MUS 239-1201 (MyCSN Class Number 86663). One class section of MUS 240 is also being held as a Web-Remote Class, MUS 240-2003 (MyCSN Class Number 86700).

We will also have our Open Labs available on Campus for the Fall 2026 Semester for Audio Recording Technology students to use on a regular and scheduled basis every week.

Please email John Jacobson with any questions on the above, or anything at all concerning our Audio Recording Technology Program.

Avid User Certification

NEW! The CSN Audio Recording Technology Program joins the Avid Learning Partner Program. In addition to our Certificate of Achievement in Music Business and Technology, students who pass our MUS 239 and MUS 240 courses are eligible to take the Avid Pro Tools 101 and 110 Exams free of charge through our CSN Program! (Upon passing the Avid Pro Tools 110 Exam students receive their Avid User Certification).

Music Degree and Certificates

The CSN Music Program offers 30-credit Certificate of Achievement in Music Business and Technology.

Music Program offers 60-credit Associate of Arts-Music degree.

Additional Information

See Fall 2026 Courses - CSN Audio Recording Technology Program below for full course descriptions and schedules!

For more information and updates please visit us on Facebook

PLEASE NOTE!:

We will also have our Open Labs available for the 2026 Fall Semester
for students to use on a regular and scheduled basis every week.

Please email John Jacobson at john.jacobson@csn.edu with any questions on the above,
or anything at all concerning our Audio Recording Technology Program.

WHERE TO START TAKING COURSES

The first comprehensive Audio Recording Courses to enroll in are
MUS 231 “Recording Techniques I” AND MUS 239 “Virtual Studio Technology”.
MUS 239 is a required co-requisite for MUS 231.
MUS 160 "Computer Music Technology I" is also one of our recording technology first-level Courses.

We also have a new Course for Djing! This is listed in our MyCSN system as MUS 120-2001 (86689)
This also has no pre-requisite and is open to all (like MUS 160/231/239).

MUS 120 "DJing"
In this course students will learn the tools they need to become a confident DJ. They will obtain comprehension and application uses of the popular Pioneer DDJ 400 Controller as well as its integrated Rekordbox computer software. Understanding beats and phrasing is essential in DJing, so concepts such as beat matching and timing will be discussed in depth. Applying EQ, filters and FX to the mix will also be covered in great length giving students the ability to create a seamless mix their audience will love.

MUS 120 "DJing" Class Schedule for 2026 Fall Semester:

Day	Time	Section	Class Number	Instructor
Wed	3:30 PM - 6:20 PM	2001	86689	O'Connor

MUS 160 "Computer Music Technology I"
NOTE: This course will be focusing on Ableton Live (including Ableton's Push Controller), and Apple Logic, and for 2-3 weeks possibly the music publishing software program MakeMusic Finale program. MUS 160 can be taken along with MUS 231 and MUS 239, or can be taken by itself. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if you are interested in learning about what different music software can do, and is the prerequisite for MUS 230/MUS 264/MUS 268, all of which are Electives on our Certificate of achievement in Music Business and Technology.

A hands-on oriented course providing a basic understanding of how music and computers correlate. Topics include sound/data management, MIDI, basic recording and editing, signal processing and music notation. Systems used include Apple Logic and Ableton Live.

MUS 160 "Computer Music Technology I" Class Schedule for 2026 Fall Semester:

Day	Time	Section	Class Number	Instructor
Wed	7:00 PM - 9:50 PM	2001	86662	O'Connor
Thurs	11:00 AM - 1:50 PM	2002	86673	O'Connor

MUS 181 "Business of Music"
A general survey course to provide the knowledge of music merchandising, management, publishing, contracts, copyrights, record production, concert promotion and manager selection.

MUS 181 "Business of Music" Class Schedule for 2026 Fall Semester:

Day	Time	Section	Class Number	Instructor
TBA	Web-Online	1001	86626	Miranda
TBA	Web-Online	1002	86659	Miranda
Tues	9:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Web-Remote)	1202	86627	Miranda

MUS 231 "Recording Techniques I"
An introduction to audio recording including theoretical concepts, terminology, microphones, consoles, and use of analog and digital equipment. Includes hands-on training.

NOTE: The required co-requisite Course for MUS 231 is MUS 239. You either need to take MUS 239 the Semester you are taking MUS 231, or have previously taken MUS 239.

MUS 231 "Recording Techniques I" Class Schedule for 2026 Fall Semester:

Day	Time	Section	Class Number	Instructor
Mon	9:30 AM - 12:20 PM	2001	86642	Hotchkiss
Thurs	7:00 PM - 9:50 PM	2002	86674	Hotchkiss
Thurs	11:00 AM - 1:50 PM	2003	88643	Ramsey
Wed	3:30 PM - 6:20 PM	2004	88965	Ramsey

MUS 232 "Recording Techniques II"
An intermediate course in multi-track recording techniques including discussions on session procedures, production techniques, tracking and overdubbing methods, and general equipment operation. Prerequisite: MUS 231

MUS 232 "Recording Techniques II" Class Schedule for 2026 Fall Semester:

Day	Time	Section	Class Number	Instructor
Tues	3:30 PM - 6:20 PM	2001	86644	Jacobson
Wed	9:30 AM - 12:20 PM	2002	86645	Hotchkiss

MUS 239 "Virtual Studio Technology"
Explores the theory and application of hard-disc recording systems, focusing on Avid ProTools, from setup to mastering. Students have hands-on experience while learning concepts and techniques for proper functioning of MIDI, digital audio, I/O, plugins, etc. NOTE: This course uses Avid ProTools.

(Since our CSN Audio Recording Program is an Avid Learning Partner, students who take MUS 239 are eligible to take the Avid Pro Tools 101 Exam free of charge through us!)

MUS 239 "Virtual Studio Technology" Class Schedule for 2026 Fall Semester:

Day	Time	Section	Class Number	Instructor
Tues	9:30 AM - 12:20 PM (Web-Remote)	1201	86663	Johnston
Tues	7:00 PM - 9:50 PM	2001	86675	Eadeh
Thurs	3:30 PM - 6:20 PM	2002	86691	Johnston
Sat	9:30 AM - 12:20 PM	2003	86657	Herbes
Wed	9:30 AM - 12:20 PM	2004	88966	Eadeh
Mon	11:00 AM - 1:50 PM	2005	88967	Eadeh

MUS 240 "Virtual Studio Technology II"
A continuation of MUS 239. Emphasizes advanced DAW usage, particularly ProTools. Students have hands-on experience with concepts and techniques including signal routing strategies, keyboard shortcuts, "power commands", editing, automation and other advanced DAW features. NOTE: This course uses Avid ProTools. Prerequisite: MUS 239

(Since our CSN Audio Recording Program is an Avid Learning Partner, students who take MUS 240 are eligible to take the Avid Pro Tools 110 Exam (after they have passed the 101 Exam), and the Avid Pro Tools User Certification Exam free of charge through us!)

MUS 240 "Virtual Studio Technology II" Class Schedule for 2026 Fall Semester:

Day	Time	Section	Class Number	Instructor
Mon	3:30 PM - 6:20 PM	2001	86687	Johnston
Thurs	7:00 PM - 9:50 PM	2002	86699	Johnston
Mon	11:00 AM - 1:50 PM (Web-Remote)	2003	86700	Johnston

MUS 262 "Progressive R&B Music Production"
Focuses on techniques used in creating Hip-Hop, Rap, Contemporary R&B, and related styles of music. Examples of devices used (may vary) include current Native Instruments Maschine, Avid ProTools, many software plugins, Korg Kronos X Workstation, top-level microphones, and also vintage equipment such as Akai S900/MPC2000, and many other samplers and synthesizers from the 1970's onward. Prerequisite: MUS 231 with a grade of C- or higher.

MUS 262 "Progressive R&B Music Production" Class Schedule for 2026 Fall Semester:

Day	Time	Section	Class Number	Instructor
Tues	11:00 AM - 1:50 PM	2001	86690	O'Connor

MUS 264 "Ableton Live"
Provides a detailed study into the relationship between music production and computers. Topics include digital signal processing (DSP), software synthesis, plugins, computer audio hardware, and other components of the digital audio workstation (DAW). NOTE: This course uses Ableton Live. Prerequisite: MUS 160 with a grade of C- or higher.

MUS 264 "Ableton Live" Class Schedule for 2026 Fall Semester:

Day	Time	Section	Class Number	Instructor
Tues	3:30 PM - 6:20 PM	2001	86698	O'Connor

MUS 281 "Business of Music II"
A continuation of MUS 181. Topics include starting a record label, recording budgets, record royalties, audits, legal agreements, and the future of the recording and music industry. Prerequisite: MUS 181

MUS 281 "Business of Music II" Class Schedule for 2026 Fall Semester:

Day	Time	Section	Class Number	Instructor
Wed	2:00 PM - 4:50 PM (Web-Remote)	1201	86628	Miranda

MUS 285 "Advanced Recording Techniques"
A continuation of MUS 232. Emphasis on hands-on recording projects, digital multitrack recording, hard-disk editing, and mixdown techniques. Prerequisite: MUS 232

MUS 285 "Advanced Recording Techniques" Class Schedule for 2026 Fall Semester:

Day	Time	Section	Class Number	Instructor
Thurs	3:30 PM - 6:20 PM	2001	86631	Jacobson
Tues	9:30 AM - 12:20 PM	2002	86968	Jacobson

MUS 292 "Audio Post-Production I"
An introduction to the technological and artistic applications of audio used for visual media. This course covers the basics of sound elements, audio formats, “digital conversions”, and strategies employed to address all of these. Topics and source materials experienced may include sound effect libraries, production music libraries and scored music, sound editing, on-location (“field”) audio, ADR, OMF files, “pre-dubs”, and 5.1 surround sound. Prerequisite: MUS 240

MUS 292 "Audio Post-Production I" Class Schedule for 2026 Fall Semester:

Day	Time	Section	Class Number	Instructor
Fri	11:00 AM - 1:50 PM	2001	86692	Hotchkiss

We also are offering a private instruction lesson Course: MUSA 167-2001 (89898) "Synthesizer/MIDI”. While labeled for synthesizers and MIDI technology, lessons are structured individually for every student and can be on any Music Technology topic (specific hardware or software that we are able to accommodate). Total Instruction Time for the Semester is 7.5 hours

Please check the MyCSN system concerning other required Courses/Classes for our Certificate: MUS 101 or 102, and COM 115.

The CSN Recording Studio Facilities have two fully equipped Control Rooms, a Studio large enough to accommodate a 50-piece orchestra, and an Isolation Room that doubles as a self-contained recording space students can use. Classes held in this area utilize all these rooms, and have a lab-to-lecture ratio of at least 2-to-1 to ensure students receive hands-on training on industry-standard equipment the same or similar to those in commercial facilities. A separate three Computer Station Lab in the Recording Studio area is used during classes and also as a "Drop-In Lab".

Our "Room N119" Computer Music Classroom/Lab for 12 students is a dedicated space with one computer station per student. With new Macintosh computers, our many courses in this Lab instruct students on Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Apple Logic Pro X, and other software. Room N119 is also available for "Drop-In Lab" use.

In total, we have 19 Macs in the CSN Audio Recording Technology Program. All software (including our HUGE number of plugins) in Room N119 are also installed on all the Macs in our Recording Studio area, so students can move their projects easily from one computer or area on Campus to another one.

Our faculty has many years of experience in the audio industry, covering all aspects of audio production and with many notable credits.

We offer Class Sections on different days and times, including evenings and weekends. For course information (including a list of days and times for all the Fall 2026 Semester recording classes at CSN) Please see Fall 2026 Courses - CSN Audio Recording Technology Program above.

Our 30-Credit Certificate of Achievement in Music Business and Technology has proven to be very popular both for students and for prospective employers. One-on-one Private Instruction is also available.

All recording classes and facilities are at the North Las Vegas ("Cheyenne") Campus of CSN. For Admissions and Registration, please use the links on the Admissions page or contact the Registrar’s Office at any CSN campus. (At the North Las Vegas Campus, the Registrar’s phone number is 702-651-4060).

For more information, contact the CSN Audio Recording Technology Professor John Jacobson, and please check out our Facebook site!

For an overview and more details of what is available please click on the links directly below.

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

UNDER CONSTRUCTION - please check back soon!

FACULTY AND COURSES

John Jacobson is the Audio Recording Technology Professor at CSN. He has led this program since joining CSN in 1999, and has overseen the ongoing developments that have made the facilities and curricula at CSN comparable to those of top-level similar colleges. Prior to beginning at CSN, he worked at UNLV as an engineer, operated his own archival and forensic audio business, and was co-owner of one of Las Vegas’ premier recording studios, Oakdale Post Audio. John has been involved in every aspect of the recording studio business, and as an engineer has worked with clients and artists like Phil Ramone, IBM, Motown and Capitol Records, Martin Scorsese (“Casino” and “A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies”), Station Casinos, Penn Jillette (Comedy Central), Steve Cropper, Caesars Palace, Kenny Rogers, and many others. John is also a professional musician, in recent years playing for shows such as “Phantom–The Las Vegas Spectacular,” “Spamalot,” “Mama Mia” and “Hairspray,” playing for a church on an ongoing basis, and various other work. He is also a composer and arranger, and loves playing with the “toys” at the CSN Recording Studio! He is a member of the Audio Engineering Society (AES) and the Musicians Union of Las Vegas.

Jerome Eadeh is a percussionist and audio engineer born in Grand Rapids Michigan. During his childhood, it was said that Jerome’s style of percussion was “TOO LOUD” according to his parents and the neighbors. Of course, that only encouraged him because from there, Jerome continued with his drumming career performing in various bands, drum and bugle corps, teaching, and eventually into college. He obtained degrees from Western Michigan University and Indiana University, studying mostly classical music, but was soon picked up to include audio engineering to his musical arsenal when he was chosen to join the Production Services department of Indiana University. There, Jerome helped a completely analog production facility to move into the digital realm by introducing digital and non-linear audio and video to the department. After a short five years in Bloomington, he then set his sights on Las Vegas to soon take a career path with the newly formed Las Vegas Clark County Library District, where they were developing theatrical venues to provide live audio recording, performance, editing, and visual production services to the public. Soon after, Jerome became the Technical and Production Services Supervisor, running AV technical staff of as many as fourteen, designing systems, and consulting with various entities throughout Southern Nevada. With his own company, Customized Multimedia Projects, Jerome has performed as a percussionist and/or audio engineer for countless events and has taught audio and music composition to hundreds of students young and old. Currently, Jerome is on staff with the College of Southern Nevada to help bring excellence in audio performance to the students, and to mentor upcoming musicians/audio engineers so they can move the world into new frontiers of audio excellence.

Ron S. Herbes was raised in Ventura, California, from a family whose father was an Executive and the Director of Facilities at 20th Century Fox Film Corporation. At the age of 18 Ron started working for 20th Century Fox Film Corporation in the Film Editorial department. Ron joined the Motion Picture Editors Guild and started his 6 years of training apprenticeships, eventually working as an Editor of Film/Video, Sound/Audio, Producer and Sound Designer, excelling onto various other positions in and around the studios, spending over 20 years at Universal Studios, Disney, MGM and other major film studios in Hollywood. Ron has worked on hundreds of shows, holding various positions in Editorial, Post-Production, Production as well as a Producer. This includes iconic Television Series such as: “Miami Vice,” “Murder She Wrote,” “Alfred Hitchcock,” “New York Undercover,” and many more, and on Feature Films such as: “Rocky V,” “The Waterboy,” “Predator 2,” “Alien 3,” as well as “Rambo 3” and many more. After moving to Las Vegas, he went back to school to earn a degree in Digital Film and Videotape Production, and is currently enrolled to earn his Masters’s Degree in Business. In 2009 Ron held the position of Program Chair for Cinema & Audio Production at IADT. Ron was then offered a position to start a new Film & Television School as the Campus Director for a major Film College in Las Vegas. Ron is currently teaching as an Instructor for the College of Southern Nevada teaching in the music program. Most recently Ron has teamed up with Dámaris Morales, Vickie Rose Sampson, and an incredible Latin Director Noemi Morales, to form the company “DIAPASON LLC” which just finished producing an incredible new docu-reality show on the world’s music.

IMDB Link: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0378646/

Nik “Ink Well" Hotchkiss is an American multi-media artist and entrepreneur. He is known mainly for his work as a DJ/turntablist, producer and audio engineer. He spends his time producing for other artists as well as working on his own music released under the label Rhymesayers Entertainment. In 2005 he graduated with honors and a Recording Arts Degree from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. In the years following, he went on to earn a Masters of Entertainment Business Degree focusing on commercial recording studio operations. After college Nik spent 2 years in Nashville, Tennessee gaining experience working alongside some top writers and engineers before moving to Las Vegas on 07-07-07. For most of the past decade he has been a Chief Engineer at Nevada’s largest recording studio The Hideout. Nik has worked with more than 500 artists at all levels of the music industry. Notable musicians he has collaborated with include: Gladys Knight, Lil Baby, Swae Lee, Polo G, Moneybagg Yo, Atmosphere, Yandele, Riff Raff, Will.I.Am, Karol G, Jesse Royal, Abraham Mateo, Summer Walker, Blippi the Clown and CNCO. He is a member of the Audio Engineering Society and holds several technical certifications relating to audio/video production including Avid Learning Partner Certified Pro Tools Instructor. Since 2010 Nik has designed and taught courses in audio engineering for multiple national colleges and was a founding board member of B-Sharp, a non-profit organization providing music-production lessons to Southern Nevada high-school students through after school programming.

Kenneth Johnston has been teaching in the Fine Arts Department at CSN since 2014. He is a certified sound engineer with an expert level of experience. After graduating from the Center for the Media Arts, New York, in 1986 he opened his own recording studio. Kenneth brings real life insight into his classroom teachings learned from working in the music industry for over 30 years, with both seasoned veterans and many up-and-coming artists. He has worked on many notable Multi-Platinum projects. His expertise earned him recognition and a special Grammy award from the Recording Academy. He enjoys teaching and helping others develop the skills to become successful in the world of recording. Some projects and artists include: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Next, Jaheim, 3LW, Naughty by Nature, Queen Latina, Biggie Smalls, Jay Z and many more.

Josh O’Connor, Music Producer, Live Performer and Music Educator, has taught his vast knowledge of Electronic Music Production here at CSN. This Chicago native’s client list contains a Who’s Who in the music business including Justin Timberlake, Mya, Ciara, Fredro Star (Onyx), Eddie Kramer, Grey Advertising and The Minnesota Vikings just to name a few. Having worked in Sully Erna’s (Godsmack) Serenity Sound studio (Hollywood) allows Josh to relay and teach real life studio situations and techniques to students that prepare them for the real world. Josh has also been trusted by Industry leading software companies (Ableton) to teach Master Classes on their behalf. Josh has personally written the curriculum for multiple courses here at CSN including Progressive R&B Music Production (Mus 262) and Computer Music Technology I (Mus 160). Josh can also be seen teaching Recording Techniques II (Mus 232) and Virtual Studio Technology I (Mus 239).

Aaron Ramsey is a professional composer, percussionist, and audio engineer. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Master’s degree from the Berklee College of Music. Proficient in various DAW’s such as ProTools, Logic Pro X, and Ableton Live, he worked as a computer lab tutor at the Berklee Boston and Valencia, Spain Campuses. While in Spain, Aaron was commisioned to score the soundtrack for the short film Copetin. It was recorded with the Budapest Art Orchestra, and featured at the Palm Springs ShortFest in 2014. He later conducted and recorded with a full orchestra at the world famous Air Lyndhurst Studios in London. Aaron was selected to attend the Society of Composers’ and Lyricists’ Mentorship Program in Los Angeles where he learned from well-known media composers such as Russell Brower (World of Warcraft) and Garry Schyman (Bioshock, Shadow of Mordor). As a solo percussion artist, Aaron composed and produced two albums of electronic music that he has performed in concerts with young musicians. These Incorporate his electronic tracks with live musicians, and incorporate synchronized visual projections. In January 2020, Aaron was contracted to compose and perform his music for the Google Cloud Accelerate conference opening ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for over 10,000 people. Currently, Aaron is an Instructor at the College of Southern Nevada, and is also employed by Clark County as a sound and lighting technician at the Winchester Cultural Center Theater in Las Vegas. He also scores, mixes and masters original music for Kino Lorber, a publishing company that releases short silent films restored by the US Library of Congress.